ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi on Tuesday invited American investors, saying the ...
islands are endowed with huge opportunities, which yearn for investments, especially in the blue economy sector.“Talking of marine transport, oil and gas as well as ports, among other areas, in the blue economy sector; all these are yearning for investors because they are capital intensive,” Dr Mwinyi told the US Ambassador to Tanzania Dr Michael Battle, who had paid him a courtesy call at Vuga-based State House.
President Mwinyi said the government’s priority is on improvement of transport infrastructure, especially roads in all Zanzibar towns to support business and attract more investors in the country.
He said Zanzibar is as well blessed with abundant oceanic resources, which offer business opportunities in fisheries, seaweed farming and sustainable tourism.
“Currently, we receive more tourists than available hotel beds…we encourage more investments in the tourism sector,” Dr Mwinyi said, cautioning however that the isles target is not mass but rather high-value tourism.
The president admitted that the country hasn’t fully utilised the fishery potential in the country due to among others lack of processing plants.
“Serious investments in fish processing will create more jobs for Zanzibaris who rely on fishing as their livelihood…we aspire to modernise the traditional fishing methods and give fishermen access to the right tools and markets.”
Regarding women empowerment, Dr Mwinyi said 95 per cent of people in seaweed farming, particularly in Pemba Island, are women.
“Seaweed sector has created many jobs for women; it’s an area we want to strengthen through domestic processing of the produce to get the right markets at right prices,” he said.
President Mwinyi boasted of the Government of National Unity (GNU), which has kept Zanzibar stable, saying his administration is exploring more appropriate ways to fix some differences to attain effective joint governance.
“The country is secure and stable; there is no reason why we cannot improve our economy,” he said, appreciating the US support in especially the health and education sectors.
Ambassador Battle commended Dr Mwinyi for his visionary leadership, saying: “I’m pleased with the direction Zanzibar is taking, particularly with regards to her openness to trade and investment.”
He further affirmed the US keenness to increase American trade and investment in Zanzibar to create jobs and generate wealth in the region.
“I want an increase in American trade and investments to characterise my stay here; and not just trade, but investments that create jobs and wealth in Tanzania and Zanzibar…there is already an American community here,” he said.
Dr Batlle commended Tanzania for her 59-year Union, which he described as unique in the contemporary world. Diplomatic relationship between Tanzania and the US started over 50 years ago through social, economic and developmental cooperation between the two friendly nations.
Meanwhile, President Mwinyi yesterday appointed Dr Said Khamis Juma as the Deputy Controller and Auditor General, to beef up manpower in the country’s chief overseer of public spending. According to a statement by Chief Secretary Engineer Zena Ahmed Said, the appointment was effective from on Tuesday.
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